Brake mechanism for spinning and twisting machines

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for disengaging the drive of the spindles of a spinning machine in which the spindles are individually driven by a tangential drive belt. The mechanism comprises a carrier on which there is mounted a roller for lifting the belt. The carrier is connected, at one end, to a fixed support by resiliently flexible means and at the other end to link means by which it may be moved causing the roller to move into operative contact with the belt lifting the same out of engagement with the spindle. A brake element may be independently mounted for engagement with the spindle, or as is preferred mounted on the carrier for simultaneous operation.

United States Patent [191 Kohler BRAKE MECHANISM FOR SPINNING AND TWISTING MACHINES [75] Inventor: Gisbert Kohler, Stuttgart, Germany [73] Assignee: SKF Kugellagerfabriken GmbI-I,

Schweinfurt, Germany 22 Filed: on. 5, I971 21 Appl.No.: 186,735

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 12/1935 Cobb 57/88 X 5/1962 Schrader 57/88 [57] ABSTRACT A mechanism for disengaging the drive of the spindles of a spinning machine in which the spindles are individually driven by a tangential drive belt. The mechanism comprises a carrier on which there is mounted a roller for lifting the belt. The carrier is connected, at one end, to a fixed support by resiliently flexible means and at the other end to link means by which it may be moved causing the roller to move into operative contact with the belt lifting the same out of engagement with the'spindle. A brake element may be independently mounted for engagement with the spindle, or as is preferred mounted on the carrier for simultaneous operation.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures nnm 1 mm SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR. G/SBERT KQHLER Btfl al PAIENIED GET 1 SISIS SHEET 2 BF 2 "m en/ ron Cv/SEEKF 'KOHLER 11 1 SUL% m BRAKE MECHANISM FOR SPINNING AND TWISTING MACHINES BACKGROUND OF INVENTION and lift it out of tangential engagement with the whorl and a brake element which is simultaneously moved into engagement with the whorl. It is a common feature of the prior art devices that the body carrying the lifting rollers is mounted to be pivotable about a fixed pivot point or axis. The carrying body may be supported directly on the bearing housing of its associated spindle or about a different pivot point. In any event the pivoting axis is fixed.

When the known spinning or twisting machines are operated at high speed the mass of the lifting mechanism is exposed to heavy loads both from the rotating spindles and the moving drive belts. This is particularly so when the spindles are rotated at the high power input of between 60 to 80 kw (kilowatts). As a result unfavorable mechanical vibration occurs which causes heavy wear of the machine parts resulting in a relatively short spindle life. Further, because the bearing wears, the carrier body is caused to tilt slightly resulting in the lifting roller engaging the drive belt at an oblique angle. This creates an unfavorable deflection in the belt which again causes a high factor of wear, this time in the belt and in the lifting roller.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a brake mechanism for the spindles of a spinning and twisting machine avoiding the difficulties of the prior art.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a brake mechanism for the spindles of a spinning and twisting machine in which wear on the part of bearing and drive means is significantly reduced.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a brake mechanism for the spindles of a spinning and twisting machine having an increased life, smooth operation and a capability of running at high speeds.

These objects as well as others, together with numerous advantages will be obvious from the following description.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the present invention a mechanism is provided for disengaging the drive of the spindles of a spinning machine in which the spindles are individually driven by a tangential drive belt. The mechanism com prises a carrier on which there is mounted a movable roller by which the belt may be lifted from contact with the spindles. The carrier is connected, at one end, to a fixed support by resiliently flexible means and, at the other end to link means. By means of the link the carrier may be moved to cause the roller to shift into operative contact with the belt thereby lifting the same out of engagement with the spindle. A brake element may be independently mounted for engagement with the spindle, or as is preferred mounted on the carrier for simultaneous operation. The resiliently flexible connection avoids a fixed pivot axis and permits the brake mechanism to move in an arcuate path without changing or undue deviation from its proper and most efficient path during the operation of the machine.

Preferably, the plurality of spindles in a bank are paired, each pair having a common central support and the resiliently flexible connection comprises first leaf spring means, which connect the roller carrier associated with each one of the pairs to the support, and second leaf spring means which inter-connect the roller carriers of each paired spindles to each other.

In the preferred construction the carrier is an L- shaped member in which the longer leg is disposed parallel to the run of the tangential belt and is connected at its end to the fixed support. The lifting roller is journaled at the end of the short leg which is also linked to the link means for operating the brake. The brake element comprises a shoe mounted on a third leaf spring arranged parallel to the longer arm of the carrier and to the run of the tangential belt.

Full details of the present invention will be seen in the following description and in the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view ofa portion of a spindle bank showing a pair of spindles equipped with the brake mechanism of the present invention, and

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the spindle bank taken along the sight of the arrow A of FIG. 1. DESCRIP- TION OF INVENTION Turning to FIG. 1, there is seen a partial section of a conventional spindle bank or rail 10 of a spinning or twisting machine. The spindle bank 10 is arranged vertically with respect to the general frame of the machine and has mounted thereon means (not shown) for supporting an endless belt 12 extending the full length of the rail. The belt 12 is arranged to drive, in common, each of the plurality of spindles of which only two, 14 and 14' are shown. The spindles are mounted on the rail in a single row along a common line and are spaced from each other having their axes extending outwardly from the rail 10 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical face of the rail. The spindles 14 and 14 are rotatably journalled in spindle bearing housings l8, 18' which are themselves set into the rail 10. A drive whorl 20,20 is keyed to the spindle 14, 14' and is engaged under pressure by the outer surface of the belt 12 which thus is arranged to run horizontally and to pass in contact with the circumference of each of the whorls. The belt 12 has a lower run pressed into tangential contact with the whorls 20,20 by a back drive wheel 22 located on the opposite or inner surface of belt 12 between the adjacent pairs of spindles 14, 14'. The wheel 22 is resiliently loaded into engagement with the belt 12 by being mounted at the end of a cantilevered spring mechanism 23 which is itself mounted on the face of the rail 10.

Each of the spindles l4, 14 is provided with an associated lifting roller 24, 24' adapted to lift the belt 12 and a brake mechanism 26, 26' adapted to engage the whorl 20, 20' to stop the spindles 14, 14' respectively. As is evident from FIG. 1, the respective lifting rollers 24, 24 and brake members 26, 26' are movably mounted on a carrier 28, 28' which is connected to a common supporting member 30 stationarily fixed on the rail and interposed between the adjacent pairs of spindles 14, 14' opposite the idler wheel 22.

The connection between each of the carrier bodies 28, 28' and the common fixed support 30 comprises a resiliently flexible mechanism generally defined by the numeral 32 which provides for each of the carriers 28, 28; a first means formed of a flexible flat elongated leaf spring 34, 34', screwed or otherwise fastened at one end to the support 30 and at the other end to one end of the associated carrier 28, 28; and a second resiliently flexible means comprising a leaf spring 38 connected at one end to one of the carriers 28, 28' and at the other end to the other remaining carrier 28, 28'. As seen in FIG. 1, each pair of spindles l4 and 14 have their carrier bodies 28, 28 commonly connected to the interposed support 30 by a flexible arrangement comprising three leaf springs. The springs 34 and 34' depend substantially vertically and are spaced parallel to each other while the single spring 38 extends at a cross angle thereto, substantially horizontal and parallel to the run of the belt 12. The resiliently flexible joint between the carriers 28, 28' of adjacent pairs of spindles is substantially free from wear, does not require maintenance and is thus distinguished from the prior art constructions by having substantially unlimited use and life. Furthermore, the arrangement insures a constant fixed angular and spaced position of the lifting rollers 24, 24' from the tangential belt 12. The use of the flexible leaf spring 38 bridging the two carriers further acts as a stabilizing force.

The braking element 26, 26' may be conventionally mounted and operated independently of the lifting roller by being pivotally mounted to the rail and provided with its own link means. However, a very advantageous arrangement can be obtained in the present invention by combining its function with that of the lifting rollers. As seen in FIG. 1, the braking elements 26, 26' associated with the respective spindles 14, 14' are symetrically arranged relatively to each other and comprise a brake shoe 40, 40 secured at the end of still another leaf spring member 42, 42 which is secured at its other end to the carrier 28, 28'. The leaf springs 42, 42 holding the brake shoes 40, 40' extend cantilvered over the respective carriers 28, 28 from which it is spaced. It also extends generally in a direction parallel to the horizontal tangential run of the belt 12. The brake shoes 40, 40' are thus resiliently engagable against the lower most portion of the circumference of the whorl 20, 20.

The carrier bodies 28, 28 comprise substantially L shaped angle members having'its longer legs 44, 44' arranged substantially horizontal and parallel to the tangential belt 12 and its shorter legs 46, 46 vertically perpendicular thereto. The ends of the shorter legs 46, 46'are provided with a coupling to which the end of a Bowden cable 48, 48 or the like are connected. The Bowden cable is extended to a manual or automatic actuating means. Conventionally, a foot pedal is provided as the brake actuating means and the Bowden cable would be connected to it. The lifting rollers 24, 24 are rotably mounted on axes 50, 50' at the end of the shorter legs 46, 46' below the belt 12. The axes 50, 50 are arranged substantially parallel to the axes of the spindles l4, 14. The vertical leaf springs 34, 34' are connected to the extreme end of the longer legs 44, 44' while the cross-leaf spring 38 and the brake shoe leaf springs 42, 42 are anchored by suitable bolts or screws to an enlarged boss 52, 52' extending vertically from the upper edge of the longer legs 44, 44 near their ends. The brake shoes 40, 40' are suitably spaced from the whorl 20, 20' as are the rollers 24, 24' from belt 12 when the carrier 28, 28 is in its normal rest position.

As will be obvious, an upward pull, in the direction of the arrow on the Bowden cable 48 will result in a resilient flexing of the carriers 28, 28' about the flexible juncture 32 causing the rollers 24, 24' to engage and lift the belt 12 from its tangential contact with the whorl 20, 20'. Simultaneously, the associated one of the brake shoes 40, 40 will resiliently engage the whorl 20, or 20' exerting a positive braking force on it. The respective Bowden cable may be simultaneously actuated or they may be selectively actuated to effect braking of one or both of the paired spindles 14, 14'. The lifting rollers 24, 24' are provided exteriorly of the spindles 14, 14 so that they are at a large distance from the idler wheel 22. Thus, the belt 12 will be lifted by one or both rollers 24, 24' without unduly or unfavorably effecting the position or operation of the idler wheel 22 which will still engage the belt 12 even during braking of either or both of the spindles.

It will thus be obvious that rather than the use of a fixed pivot point for pivoting the carrier of the braking mechanism the present invention provides a flexible joint having in effect an arcuate pivot arm or swing arm. Because of the crossed arrangement of the leaf spring members, the flexible connection is highly stable insuring that the lifting roller has only two degrees of freedom; i.e.; a translatory and rotatory degree. The flexible connection forms a moving mechanism free from wear and having unlimited useful life. As a result a constant angular position is maintained between the axis of the rollers and the tangential belt. The perpendicular disposition of the first and second leaf spring members 34, 34' and 38 is preferred because of its unique stability, however, other angular arrangements can be made which allow the springs to be arranged to move in arcuate directions to each other. The ends of the leaf springs 38 and 42 may be jointly fastened to the support or to the carrier rather than separately as indicated.

By'arranging the brake elements or shoes resiliently on the carrier they may be advantageously operated simultaneous with the lifting rollers. Further by arranging the brake shoes spaced at a distance from the lifting rollers, the shoes will press against the whorl or spindle immediately upon the detachment of the lifting roller from the tangential belt. Thus, braking is automatic and instantaneous with a minimum of expense.

The pairing of two adjacent lifting mechanisms reduces significantly the cost of providing such devices for a plurality of spindles, by utilizing common parts. However, as is obvious from the drawings and description, each spindle may be independently provided with its own arrangement, by merely securing its own crossleaf spring 38 to the shown or another fixed support. Symetrical arrangement of the adjacent mechanism can be maintained, although when independently mounted, this need not be carried out. As noted earlier, particular advantageous operating conditions are obtained by locating the idler wheel on the side ofthe belt counter to side on which the lifting rollers are located and arranging both lifting rollers to straddle the paired spindles. With this the belt may be easily removed without disturbing the adjacent spindles or contact of the idler wheel 22 with the belt.

' It will be apparent that numerous other modifications and changes are possible all within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, this disclosure is to be taken as illustrative and not limiting of the present invention.

What is claimed:

1. Ina spinning or twisting machine having a rotary spindle driven by a tangentially engaging belt, a belt lifting mechanism comprising a stationary support, a carrier, a roller mounted on said carrier and resiliently flexible means connecting one end of said carrier to the stationary support said resiliently flexible means comprising at least a pair of leaf springs arranged at an angle to each other and link means connected to the other end of said carrier to move said carrier in an arcuate path to cause said roller to lift said belt and disengage said belt from said spindle.

2. In a spinning or twisting machine having a plurality of rotary spindles driven by a common tangential belt, a lifting mechanism comprising a stationary support interposed between adjacent pairs of spindles, a carrier associated with each of said paired spindles a roller mounted on each carrier each of said paired carriers being connected at one end by first leaf spring to said interposed support and by a second leaf spring to the other carrier, said first and second leaf springs being arranged at an angle'to each other to provide an arcuate path of swing for said carrier, each of said paired carriers being connected at their other end to link means for moving said carriers to cause said rollers to lift said belt and to disengage said belt from said spindle.

3. The mechanism according to claim 1 including a brake element mounted on said carrier adapted to engage said spindle simultaneously with the disengagement of said belt.

4. The mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said carrier is normally arranged so that said roller and said brake are out of contact with the belt and spindle respectively.

5. The mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said brake member is mounted on said carrier by a third flexible leaf spring spaced cantilevered from said car rier.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein the third leaf spring supporting said brake member is arranged parallel to said tangential belt.

7. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the second leaf spring connecting said pairs of carrier members is arranged parallel to the tangential belt.

8. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the said first leaf springs are normally arranged substantially at right angles to said second leaf spring.

9. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the carrier, roller and brake member associated with one of the spindles of each pair are arranged symmetrically with respect to the carrier, roller and brake member associated with the other roller of the pair.

10. The mechanism according to claim 2 including an idler whee] engaging said drive belt, said idler wheel being located between the associated pairs of spindles, and on the opposite side of said belt, the rollers for lifting said belt being arranged on said carriers outside of each of said spindles of the associated pair. 

1. In a spinning or twisting machine having a rotary spindle driven by a tangentially engaging belt, a belt lifting mechanism comprising a stationary support, a carrier, a roller mounted on said carrier and resiliently flexible means connecting one end of said carrier to the stationary support, said resiliently flexiBle means comprising at least a pair of leaf springs arranged at an angle to each other and link means connected to the other end of said carrier to move said carrier in an arcuate path to cause said roller to lift said belt and disengage said belt from said spindle.
 2. In a spinning or twisting machine having a plurality of rotary spindles driven by a common tangential belt, a lifting mechanism comprising a stationary support interposed between adjacent pairs of spindles, a carrier associated with each of said paired spindles a roller mounted on each carrier, each of said paired carriers being connected at one end by a first leaf spring to said interposed support and by a second leaf spring to the other carrier, said first and second leaf springs being arranged at an angle to each other to provide an arcuate path of swing for said carrier, each of said paired carriers being connected at their other end to link means for moving said carriers to cause said rollers to lift said belt and to disengage said belt from said spindle.
 3. The mechanism according to claim 1 including a brake element mounted on said carrier adapted to engage said spindle simultaneously with the disengagement of said belt.
 4. The mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said carrier is normally arranged so that said roller and said brake are out of contact with the belt and spindle respectively.
 5. The mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said brake member is mounted on said carrier by a third flexible leaf spring spaced cantilevered from said carrier.
 6. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein the third leaf spring supporting said brake member is arranged parallel to said tangential belt.
 7. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the second leaf spring connecting said pairs of carrier members is arranged parallel to the tangential belt.
 8. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the said first leaf springs are normally arranged substantially at right angles to said second leaf spring.
 9. The mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the carrier, roller and brake member associated with one of the spindles of each pair are arranged symmetrically with respect to the carrier, roller and brake member associated with the other roller of the pair.
 10. The mechanism according to claim 2 including an idler wheel engaging said drive belt, said idler wheel being located between the associated pairs of spindles, and on the opposite side of said belt, the rollers for lifting said belt being arranged on said carriers outside of each of said spindles of the associated pair. 